The overarching theme of Born With Teeth is the importance of “the work” (acting) to make it through the most difficult times in life. For Mulgrew, these difficult times included living through siblings’ deaths, relationship upheaval, sexual assault, and the excruciating pain of giving her daughter up for adoption when she was twenty-two.

Even though there is not much in the story about Mulgrew's time on Star Trek: Voyager and the book ends before her stint as Red Reznikov on Orange is the New Black, fans shouldn't feel cheated in any way. You will feel like you've had an opportunity to explore something much more important than behind-the-scenes trivia - the soul of a woman who throws herself head-on at opportunities, who follows her heart, who endures immense pain but channels it into her work and survives - not a 90s TV superwoman but a real woman sustained by family, friends and immense courage.