By Bella Mackie.
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“This was a promise I really had no intention of keeping – modern life is 75 per cent cancelling plans and both parties feeling relieved”.
Grace finds herself behind bars for a murder she didn't commit, all while keeping the truth about the six she did commit well hidden. In this refreshingly humorous novel, she chronicles the demise of each family member alongside the mundane realities of prison life.
Grace defies the conventions of a typical protagonist—she's unlikeable, snarky, and judgmental, not to mention a murderer. Yet, she balances these traits with equal parts humour, dry wit, and intelligence, making her the perfect anti-hero. Despite her flaws, you can't help but find yourself rooting for her, and the ingenuity of her murderous methods.
Through her memoir penned from behind bars, we gain intimate insight into her thoughts and emotions, ironic considering her innocence in the crime for which she's imprisoned.
The premise is undeniably brilliant, and I enjoyed every moment accompanying Grace as she executed her intricate schemes and reflected on broader topics like wealth, class, and social influence. Though interruptions by present-day events occasionally disrupt the flow of Grace's storytelling I found.
The book's conclusion left me somewhat underwhelmed. While I appreciated its intentions, I longed for more twists and shocks to elevate the ending's impact. In the last few sentences, I did not get the clear message and I found myself having to ask others who had read the book as well as looking online, only to find we all came to different conclusions about what the ending meant.
It would be good to know if this was the desired outcome from Bella Mackie and if it is open to interpretations or if there is a definitive outcome.
I highly recommend the audiobook version as well. The narrator impeccably embodies Grace's character, adding an extra layer of depth to the experience.
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