House of Cards by Phillippa Mann | A Memoir of Survival and Munchausen by Proxy
More than a story of pain, this is a testament to healing, self-forgiveness, and the courage it takes to reclaim your story.
Feature
Some stories are difficult to tell-and even harder to read-but they matter deeply. House of Cards: Surviving Munchausen by Proxy and a Mother's Web of Lies by Phillippa Mann is one of those stories. In this raw and deeply personal memoir, Mann shares her journey through a childhood shaped by confusion, silence, and emotional harm, and the long, courageous path toward truth and healing. This is not just a story of survival-it's about reclaiming a voice that was once silenced.
If you've connected with other survivor-centered stories I've featured-like Smoke & Mirrors: Pulling Back the Curtain on Emotional and Spiritual Abuse, Being Broken: Tales and Essays of Survival and Death from Narcissistic Parental Abuse, or My Husband Almost Killed Me-this memoir explores similar themes of truth, resilience, and the strength it takes to move forward.
I'm pleased to share House of Cards by Phillippa Mann as part of a Goddess Fish Promotions tour. Readers who enjoy heart-felt memoirs may want to add this one to their TBR.
My ongoing mission here at GinaRaeMitchell.com is to champion indie authors and stories worth discovering.
Reader Snapshot
- Genre: Memoir / Nonfiction
- Themes: Childhood abuse, Munchausen by Proxy, survival, healing, self-reclamation
- Tone: Emotional, reflective, and deeply personal
- Best For: Readers drawn to survivor stories and honest, voice-driven memoirs
- Content Note: Explores emotional and psychological abuse within a parent-child relationship
Excerpt
Here's a brief excerpt that offers a glimpse into the emotional landscape of the story:
My parents were married in England in June 1969. They emigrated to Canada in 1970, had my brother in September 1972 and me in October 1974. Both sets of my grandparents emigrated to Canada shortly after this to be closer to us.
I was born in Northern BC. My mother separated from my dad and moved to the Lower Mainland in 1976, approximately 900 km away, with her boyfriend at the time. While I have no recollection of that period as I was quite young, I've come across photos of my younger self with my dad and brother, and I can see the joy on my face. In those times, I truly felt happy. I remember camping with my dad, fishing, pretending to shave with him, and the smell of the Coleman stove. It was returning home to my mother after spending time with my dad that was the toughest part.
Even though I was so little, I knew that something at home wasn't right. I always felt such intense sadness and anxiety when my dad brought us back home after summer camping, winter break, or his weekend visits. I didn't know how to articulate what I was feeling, and I struggled to express my emotions at such a young age, but I just knew that I hated it when my dad brought me back home. This is the first recollection I have of the abuse.
Naturally, at such a young age, I didn't see it as abuse, and it took me over two decades to realize it. My dad would drop me off at my mother's house before returning north, and even though I knew I'd see him again in a few weeks, to a three- or four-year-old without a grasp of time, it seemed like an eternity. I would cry when he left because I loved him so much and didn't want him to leave.
After my dad left, my mother would be so unkind to me, often ignoring me for days. I do not remember a single word being spoken to me. I recognize she must have said something to me; however, I remember the silence more than anything-the absence of good nights, hugs, or any trace of warmth. It continued until I finally begged her to say something, anything. Eventually, once she got what she wanted, she'd pretend nothing had happened, slipping back into normalcy as if the hurt had never occurred.
Content Considerations: This memoir discusses childhood abuse, including emotional and psychological harm connected to Munchausen by Proxy. While not written for shock value, the subject matter may be difficult for some readers. Themes of manipulation, neglect, and long-term emotional impact are present throughout. Reader discretion is advised.
About House of Cards
This survivor memoir offers a powerful look at the realities of Munchausen by Proxy and the long path toward healing.
House of Cards: Surviving Munchausen by Proxy and a Mother's Web of Lies By Phillippa Mann
Published by Tellwell Publishing on January 2026
Genres: Memoir
Formats: eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 161
A raw and unflinching memoir of survival, truth, and transformation. Phillippa Mann takes readers deep into the fractured world of a girl who grew up living with a monster-a world where love and fear shared the same face, and silence became a means of survival.
Through heartbreak, chaos, and betrayal, Phillippa's voice emerges from the shadows as she begins to piece together a life that was never hers to begin with. Her journey is one of courage and reckoning, of facing the unbearable truths that shaped her, and finding strength in vulnerability.
More than a story of pain, House of Cards is a testament to the power of healing and self-forgiveness. It reminds every survivor that bringing hidden truths into the light is not the end - it's the beginning of reclaiming your story and rebuilding the foundation of who you were always meant to be.
Reader Resources
Curious to learn more or see what other readers think? Explore the book here:
View House of Cards on Goodreads
Meet Phillippa Mann
About Phillippa Mann
Phillippa Mann is a Canadian author who is passionate about helping others find healing through shared experience.
Her memoir, House of Cards:
Surviving Munchausen by Proxy and a Mother's Web of Lies, explores the emotional journey of growing up in chaos and reclaiming strength through forgiveness and self-discovery.
Family is at the heart of everything Phillippa does. She and her husband share a love of creating together, and their children and grandchildren inspire her every day to live with gratitude, laughter, and purpose. When she's not writing, Phillippa can be found playing with her Corgi, Glenn, crafting handmade gifts, baking cookies and cupcakes for her family business, Sweet Lavender Designs, which she started in memory of a dear friend.
She is currently working on her next creative project, a heartwarming children's book titled Hop Hop and the Great Garden Adventure, inspired by the wonder and imagination of her grandchildren.
Explore more from the author:
Website | Amazon | Goodreads
Where to Buy
If this sounds like your kind of read, you can explore purchase options below.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Support Local Bookshops
If you prefer to shop outside of Amazon, you can support independent bookstores through Bookshop.org.
Prefer print? View the paperback edition here.
Book Blast tour date: April 13, 2026. To see the full schedule of stops, visit the
Goddess Fish Promotions - House of Cards Tour Page.
Giveaway
Phillippa Mann will award a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
If the giveaway widget does not load, you can enter here.
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Happy reading - and thank you for supporting indie authors and stories worth discovering.
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